Here are are my top thirteen Halloween music faves. Okay, they’re not all Halloween-specific, but they fit the mood of the holiday. If you expected a “classic” song that’s not there, keep in mind just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s a classic — or even that good (sorry, “Monster Mash,” “Purple People Eater,” and theme songs from both The Munsters and Addams Family — all good and fine, if you’re seven years old).

*Except for this song. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to release this for radio play (circa 1971)? Frightened me more than anything I’ve ever heard. Ever. Still creeps me out. Do not look this song up; it will give you nightmares.

*Gee, waddya know, the majority of these I first heard in old Warner Brothers cartoons. And then there’s Raymond Scott’s “Powerhouse” — which isn’t spooky, but is industrial-assemby-line-unstoppable-machine awesome.

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). Directed by Jack Arnold. German language poster (obviously). Doesn’t look like he’d be very fast on land. Oh, and we could make all sorts of remarks about his ruby red fish lips, phallic fish head and the dark mouth of his cave, but — this is a PG site, after all.

The Creature Walks Among Us (1956). Directed by John Sherwood. Raising watery hell in San Francisco. Again, a literal fish out of water story (and, again, note those puffy red fish-lips — eeeew). Quick, doc, the needle!

And now, a fish-man of another spawn:

Flash Gordon (1936). Starring Larry “Buster” Crabbe. Raised in Hawaii, Buster was an Olympian swimmer (gold medalist) who starred in everything from B-movies (Tarzan, The Most Dangerous Game, Island of Lost Souls, Buck Rogers, etc., etc.) to myriad television appearances. He worked consistently from 1930 to 1982 (in 114 titles). He died in 1983. He’s my new old movie-star crush.

There’s a song by Moby, from the Southland Tales soundtrack, called “Memory Gospel” — please check it out if you’re ever in the mood for blue ambiance music. Perfectly suits the mood of this poem, my poem with the blues —

Though school has started around here, it’s still summer-hot, so I am inclined to post more summer-stuff. We have an awesome canyon nearby —Sabino Canyon — literally 10 minutes away. Once there, it’s a great place to go for a hike (just bring lots o’ water!). Here’s a little guy we spotted in Sabino, posing for a pic on a hot day — because when it just not hot enough to bake on a rock, you gotta bake on a black-top road. Ouchies.

Here’s another little guy — brought us his pretend-roadkill. Try to grab it, though, and he’ll dash away. He may look sweet, but he’s a real-life ratter — so he’s really fast!